At the beginning of the year we pulled inside, literally and figuratively, as our focus shifted from fall landscaping and parking lot paving to what we really like to focus on... creating a welcoming co-op and community space.

One of the best parts of being a co-op is that in addition to offering healthy, quality foods, we get to create a space that supports learning, the arts, and relaxing - all while mixing good food with good company!

It was a nail-biter right to the end, but an asphalt plant stayed open and the weather was temperate enough that the final coat of asphalt was able to go on the parking lot last week. Striping the parking lot should be finished this week.

With a few short weeks left until completion, we're digging our way to a new driveway and access from the Whetstone Bridge.

When completed, both sides of the driveway will be at grade with the entrance to the store. Permeable paving will allow rain and melting snow to seep into the ground and reduce runoff into the Whetstone. In addition, the base layers under the paving will trap and help filter pollutants that would otherwise go into the Whetstone Brook, all part of our plan to minimize our impact on the stream.